Vol. 80 No. 4 (2026): Journal of the American Pomological Society

Grapes (Vitis spp.) have evolved across diverse regions of the world. Vitis vinifera, the grape species most commonly used in wine production, is believed to have originated in the southern Caucasus before spreading throughout the Mediterranean region and subsequently to other parts of the world via historical trade routes. In North America, the native species V. labrusca is primarily utilized for juice production, whereas V. riparia is widely employed as a rootstock and in rootstock breeding programs. Hybridization among different grape species has resulted in cultivars with desirable horticultural traits and enhanced fruit quality. A notable example is Cotton Candy™ grapes, which are derived from a hybridization of V. vinifera and V. labrusca.